Ultimate Hair Extension Guide

Posted on by Bonhomie

Hair Extension Guide: What You Must Know Before Getting Extensions

Extensions are an investment in your confidence and beauty. This guide is here to help you understand the process, ask the right questions, and know exactly how to care for your new hair.

If your hair feels thin, fragile, and tends to break once it passes your shoulders—you are not alone. Many women experience this, and extensions are one of the best solutions to achieve the length and volume you’ve always wanted, without putting extra stress on your natural hair.

We work exclusively with Philocaly Hair and Harper Ellis, two luxury extension brands known for their premium quality, longevity, and seamless blending.

What Extensions Can Do for You

  • Add fullness and density where your hair feels too thin

  • Create length that feels natural and lasts

  • Protect your natural hair by reducing daily heat styling

  • Give you confidence with a style that holds and photographs beautifully

Things to Know Before Getting Hair Extensions

  • Extensions are a luxury service. Quality hair and professional installation come with an investment, but they also bring lasting, transformative results.

  • They require commitment. Extensions aren’t “set it and forget it.” Think of them like a luxury car, they need regular upkeep to stay flawless.

  • Not all hair types need the same method. We’ll determine the best system (hand-tied wefts, tape-ins, etc.) for your natural hair, lifestyle, and goals.

  • Color matching is essential.

    Extensions Cannot Be Lightened

    • Luxury extension hair (Philocaly, Harper Ellis, etc.) is made with premium, pre-colored strands.

    • We can darken, tone, or gloss extensions, but we cannot lift them lighter without damaging the quality.

    • If you’re adding dimension (balayage, highlights, lived-in color), we’ll choose a blend of extension shades to mimic this look.

    • Remember: your natural hair color will fade or change over time with washing, sun exposure, and toning treatments.

    • Extensions hold their tone longer, so you may need to refresh your natural hair more often to keep the blend seamless.

    Extensions are custom-blended for seamless integration into your hair. If you color your hair hair often take that into consideration as an extra cost for maintenance. 

  • Install times vary. Expect your first appointment to be several hours (this includes consultation, install, blending cut, and styling).

Questions to Consider Before Your Appt.

  • What are your hair goals—length, fullness, or both?

  • How much time are you willing to dedicate to styling and caring for your extensions?

  • Are you prepared for regular salon visits every 6–8 weeks for move-ups?

  • Do you use professional haircare at home, or are you open to switching?

  • Are you ready to commit financially not just to the install, but to ongoing maintenance?

How Much Hair You’ll Likely Need

For thin hair wanting length

Rows: 2 rows is typically enough to create both fullness and length without overwhelming delicate hair.

Enough to make ends look full, not stringy. Still lightweight so it won’t put strain on fragile strands

✨ Why not just 1 row? One row can add volume, but if you want both length + volume, two rows will give you the fullness needed to look natural from roots to ends.

My Recommendation

For your goals (longer, fuller hair that stays healthy), I recommend:

  • 2 rows of hand-tied extensions

  • Professional color-matching and blending cut included in your install

With proper care and move-ups every 6–8 weeks, this investment will give you the transformation you’re looking for while keeping your natural hair safe and growing underneath.

Next Steps

Extensions are a luxury investment in both beauty and confidence. If you’re ready, we’ll:

  1. Color-match your extensions to blend seamlessly.

  2. Order your custom hair from Philocaly or Harper Ellis.

  3. Install, blend, and style your new look.

You’ll leave with a full maintenance guide so your extensions last beautifully and your natural hair stays protected.

Explore Hair Extension Options

When it comes to extensions, color matching is everything. Extensions must seamlessly blend with your natural or colored hair. Because extension hair cannot be lightened once it arrives, your coloring decisions before ordering are essential.

If you plan to change your color (lighter, darker, highlights, lowlights, toner), it’s best to do this before ordering extensions. Ordering first and coloring after can lead to mismatched tones.

If you already have long hair but want that extra length, fullness, and drama, extensions are the perfect way to achieve it. With the right method and quality hair, we can extend your natural hair seamlessly into 24” locks that look and feel like your own.

Typically 2–3 rows, depending on how thick your natural hair is.

2 rows if your hair is naturally fine-to-medium and you want a sleek, blended finish.

3 rows if your hair is thicker or you want maximum fullness at 24

Pro Tips for a Perfect Match

 

    • Always color your natural hair first. Then, we color match and order extensions.

    • Plan ahead. Allow at least 1–2 weeks after coloring before your extension install appointment so tones settle and we know exactly what to match.

    • Think long-term. Choose a shade you’ll realistically maintain—drastic seasonal changes (platinum to brunette, for example) mean your extensions may not blend later.

    • Ask about multi-shade blends. Sometimes, ordering 2–3 shades of extensions creates the most natural, dimensional finish